The administration of drugs deemed hazardous to humans has been
receiving increasing amounts of scrutiny in recent years as the dangers
of these substances become more clearly understood. For caregivers and
their patients, the therapeutic area that is at the forefront of
attempts to mitigate exposure to cytotoxic drugs is clinical oncology, a
field that continues to rely heavily on antineoplastics, a class that
includes alkylating agents and antimetabolites, to treat a wide range of
cancers. Regulatory and industry efforts to create standards and
procedures designed to protect workers and patients from accidental and
incidental exposure to cytotoxics are being driven by data that suggests
a causal link between exposure and health issues.

Studies of nurses who work with cytotoxic drugs on a regular basis have
found a statistically higher rate of spontaneous abortion. Several
companies are responding to this unmet need by commercializing devices
for closed transfer of these drugs. As the market evolves and user
acceptance increases, so too will the impact of these products on
oncology therapy protocols and drug delivery.